It was a heart-warming event!
On Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the Inverness Hotel & Conference Centers, guests enjoyed a full program that honored community leaders who have been instrumental in implementing the new Mental Health Court in the 18th Judicial District in Colorado. See the pictures! The program paid tribute to South Korean-born Yon (See the video!), a client whose art is part of her path to recovery, as well as to Nathaniel Ayers-Moore (as portrayed in the movie The Soloist), as told by his sister, keynote speaker Jennifer Ayers-Moore. See the program. April Zesbaugh, co-host of 850KOA's Colorado's Morning News, was the emcee.
Everyone came to support a great cause.
Proceeds from the event benefit uninsured and underinsured individuals are going directly to those in in critical need of mental health and substance abuse treatment services who are being served in the 18th Judicial District's new Mental Health Court.
About our keynote speaker – Jennifer Ayers-Moore.
Jennifer Ayers-Moore is the founder and chair of the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation and sister to Nathaniel Ayers, the subject of the book and film The Soloist. She is a passionate, outspoken advocate for the artistically gifted mentally ill. Hear Jennifer's radio interview !
This is a journey to which many families can relate.
Jennifer's journey began over 30 years ago when her charming, intelligent and talented brother, Nathaniel, developed schizophrenia, forcing him to drop out of Juilliard. Ayers-Moore witnessed,talked about Nathaniel's journey..From mental institutions and Skid Row to simply "losing contact" with Nathaniel, Jennifer relates how she finally received a call from Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez, who featured her brother in a series of articles and eventually a book, The Soloist. Later, the movie was produced.
Jennifer now works through the foundation she established in her brother's honor to help eliminate the stigma of mental health; provide a voice for mental health consumers and caregivers; and establish havens for the mentally ill in U.S. cities, where emphasis is placed on using the arts as a vehicle for treating the individual rather than just the disease.
Special Honorees
ADMHN Distinguished Service Award - The Honorable Judge William Sylvester
Pat Echtermeyer Community Service Aware - Gina Shimeall, Mental Health Court Coordinator
Learn more.
Read more about Jennifer and her brother's story.
Visit The Soloist movie's Web site.
Learn more about the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation that Ms. Ayers-Moore established.
Read the press release.